The Stark County Rebels have been here before. This time, they're hoping to take the next step.

The Rebels (10-2) travel to unbeaten and top-seeded Stockton (12-0) Saturday with a trip to the Class 1A state football championship game on the line. The semifinal contest kicks off at 2 p.m., with the winner meeting the Concord Triopia vs. Maroa-Forsyth survivor for the state title at 10 a.m. Friday, Nov. 23, at Memorial Stadium on the University of Illinois campus.

The Rebels advanced to this point last season in Class 2A and fell to eventual state champion Morrison 28-0.

"I think our kids know the disappointment that comes if you're a step away," said Stark County coach Jade Noard. "They want to get it done this time."

"These last five or six years, we're averaging around 12 games a year. Our kids are accustomed to practicing this long. They understand it's a long season and come Week 10 they understand you can change the perception of how your season went," added Noard.

To return to Champaign for the first time since 2008, the Rebels have to a slow a prolific Stockton ground game.

Running back T.J. Knutson is Stockton's top weapon in its wishbone attack. The 5-7, 170-pound senior has rushed for 2,152 yards and 27 touchdowns. Teammates Logan Staver and Colton Broshous are both just shy of 1,000 rushing yards.

"For being a rushing team and from what we have on film, they have a lot of big plays," said Noard of the Blackhawks. "We want to make them keep snapping it and not give up that big one."

"I think the big thing against teams like this and where we had success last week was when you win first down and put them in a second and long situation and make them do something out of the ordinary," added Noard.

Stockton has rolled through the playoffs with wins over the LTC's West Central (60-21), Galena (44-7) and Lena-Winslow (48-14). Le-Win was the only challenge for Stockton in the regular season. The Panthers fell to Stockton 22-15 in Week 8, but were no match for the Blackhawks in the quarterfinal rematch.

Stockton has outscored the opposition 609-139 this season, but the Rebels are piling up a few points of their own in the postseason.

The Stark County offense tallied 102 points in its wins over Mooseheart and Forreston.

"It's definitely as good as we've been all year," said Noard of his offense, "and even the last couple years as far as efficiency and balance."

Noard said the Stockton defense probably hasn't played a passing attack on par with the Rebels, with the exception of Freeport Aquin which threw for more than 300 yards in a 55-19 loss.

In the playoffs, Stark County's offense has completed 70 percent of its passes for 550 yards, eight touchdowns and no interceptions.

Page 2 of 2 - "That's about all you can ask for," said Noard.

The SC air attack is complemented by the running ability of quarterback Justin Kohler and backs Danny Berchtold and Colton Senders.

"I think what makes us a little bit unique in 1A is that we're spread, but our rushing yards are more than our throwing yards," said Noard.

"I think our offense just needs to keep doing what it's been doing," added Noard. "We just have to keep being efficient. We're telling our kids that we don't have to do anything fancy, we just need to do what we do."

So with all that offensive firepower, the scoreboard operator could get a workout Saturday.

"It could be," said Noard when asked if he expects an offensive shootout.

"I'm sure neither one of us want it to be that way, we hope to have a little faith in our defense," laughed Noard. "I've been asked that a couple of times and obviously it's a possibility because both offenses are putting up big numbers."